Wheels Around Europe . . . . . . . : Into the Welsh Capital City

Friday 23^rd August

It was indeed a very peaceful night at Tintern Abbey. It was flood lit after dark and was quite impressive, very atmospheric.

Bats darted around at dusk and Owls could be heard.

After breakfast we set off for Cardiff.

I decided we needed to visit somewhere on the way into Cardiff, so a quick search of interesting places threw up Dyffryn House and Gardens.

It's a National Trust site although it's not been in their ownership for very long.

It`s a very elegant looking house set in fine grounds in a beautful position in the welsh countryside.

The house has had chequered past. It was originally built in 640 AD but was much later bought by John Cory a Victorian industrialist. The family went on to export Welsh coal all over the world and at one time had a office in every main port in the World.

A very great deal of money was made from Welsh coal and it was highly soughtafter as it burned 1c hotter than most other coal so the ships could go faster with Welsh coal.

After the Cory family, It had a time as a conference centre then it was sold for development as a hotel which failed, but not before a lot of damage was done to the fabric of the building.

It stood empty for years before the NT rescued it.

The house is interesting but not outstanding, one feature though is you were allowed to sit on the chairs, touch the furniture, play snooker on the full sized table, so it was very hands on. Unusual for a NT property.

The gardens are very large, very lovely and have undergone an awful lot of renovation in recent years and the work is set to continue for many more years.

So it was an excellent way to spend a few hours.

We got to the campsite in Cardiff by mid afternoon and got setup.

The site is very convenient for Cardiff bring situated next to Sofia Gardens and a fifteen minute walk along the River Taff.

Cardiff Castle is next to the gardens and there is a tourist information office so we headed there for a city map.

On entering the castle gate a lady with a walkie talkie said "sorry, no dogs" but I just want to go in the TI office. 'sorry, no dogs"

I was a bit wound up by this point.

We've visited TI offices in ten countries across Europe with Louis and only ever had a friendly welcome with a dog water bowl at the door and a fuss from the ladies. (For Louis usually, not for me !) So I was quite suprised at this.

She radioed for the manager and he promptly arrived, he was very friendly and apologetic, but it was policy "no dogs sir"

He offered to get me a map and we left.

Now I can understand no dogs in public historic buildings, but going through the gates at Cardiff Castle you enter a huge grassed area with the TI office and shop off to the right and the castle keep over the other side. I wouldn't have expected him to be allowed in the castle buildings, but the grounds ???

Anyway, we'll leave a suitable review on Tripadvisor and spend one money elsewhere.

It was a very pleasant walk back up the river to the campsite.

The weather has been very warm and sunny, summer has returned !